Game 20: Blazers vs. Rockets, 7:00pm CSN

Blazers Analysis Rockets
PG
Aaron Brooks has killed Portland in 2 games so far this year. With averages of 23.5 points and 6.5 assists, he'll be a match-up nightmare for whoever ends up guarding him. I think at home, something needs to change, at least emotionally. Steve Blake will make his open threes and Andre should get plenty of playing time. This might be a dream, but I think we can win this match-up tonight.
PG
SG
As always, Brandon Roy will be dealing with different defenders all night long. Ariza may take a turn but I suspect Battier will spend the majority of his time on Roy. This is another game where Brandon needs to trust his teammates and play off the ball to get easy buckets, maybe some lay-ins on backdoor cuts. Rudy will help the cause with a few triples and our guys will win this match-up.
SG
SF
Chase Budinger has been a strong contributor for Houston off the bench this season as a rookie. I remember a couple years ago at Arizona when he was considered an NBA lottery pick, but now he's making the most of a second round selection for Houston. I think this is a tough match-up for us without Travis Outlaw, Martell still can't seem to get on track and Battier always seems to play well against Portland. Rockets take this one.
SF
PF
LaMarcus Aldridge is currently listed as questionable for this game with the knee contusion sustained last week. I have a feeling it's been enough time and he'll return, but it's a tough task to take on these two forwards. Luis Scola has been solid as usual with 14 and 9 on the season. But Landry has been the real stud lately. In 25 minutes off the bench this year, he's averaging almost 16 points and 6 boards. In his last 7 games, 18 ppg. He's become a major scoring option for Houston and I don't see how we stop both guys.
PF
C
Greg Oden should be playing tonight despite the bum ankle sustained in Tuesday's loss to Miami. Greg has had trouble with shorter, craftier defenders like Hayes. It's tough for Greg to make his deliberate post moves on a strong guy like Hayes. I think it will benefit Greg to work the glass and avoid the standard post-up. Andre will get him the ball in the flow of the game and out centers will win this match-up. It's time to get back on track tonight, Blazers win!
C
Blazers	Analysis	Rockets
PG	Aaron Brooks has killed Portland in 2 games so far this year. With averages of 23.5 points and 6.5 assists, he'll be a match-up nightmare for whoever ends up guarding him. I think at home, something needs to change, at least emotionally. Steve Blake will make his open threes and Andre should get plenty of playing time. This might be a dream, but I think we can win this match-up tonight.	PG
SG	As always, Brandon Roy will be dealing with different defenders all night long. Ariza may take a turn but I suspect Battier will spend the majority of his time on Roy. This is another game where Brandon needs to trust his teammates and play off the ball to get easy buckets, maybe some lay-ins on backdoor cuts. Rudy will help the cause with a few triples and our guys will win this match-up.	SG
SF	Chase Budinger has been a strong contributor for Houston off the bench this season as a rookie. I remember a couple years ago at Arizona when he was considered an NBA lottery pick, but now he's making the most of a second round selection for Houston. I think this is a tough match-up for us without Travis Outlaw, Martell still can't seem to get on track and Battier always seems to play well against Portland. Rockets take this one.	SF
PF	LaMarcus Aldridge is currently listed as questionable for this game with the knee contusion sustained last week. I have a feeling it's been enough time and he'll return, but it's a tough task to take on these two forwards. Luis Scola has been solid as usual with 14 and 9 on the season. But Landry has been the real stud lately. In 25 minutes off the bench this year, he's averaging almost 16 points and 6 boards. In his last 7 games, 18 ppg. He's become a major scoring option for Houston and I don't see how we stop both guys.	PF
C	Greg Oden should be playing tonight despite the bum ankle sustained in Tuesday's loss to Miami. Greg has had trouble with shorter, craftier defenders like Hayes. It's tough for Greg to make his deliberate post moves on a strong guy like Hayes. I think it will benefit Greg to work the glass and avoid the standard post-up. Andre will get him the ball in the flow of the game and out centers will win this match-up. It's time to get back on track tonight, Blazers win!	C